Horizontal can ironing press

ABSTRACT

An improved machine is provided for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom. The machine includes a frame supporting a reciprocable slide on which a pair of ironing punches are removably mounted. The frame is provided with squared-off gibs receiving and slidably supporting squared-off follower rods on the slide. Each punch is threadedly engaged with the slide, and corresponding punch removal assemblies provide quick assembly and disassembly of the punch and slide components. Adjustable ironing rings are provided for each punch, and each ring support assembly is pivotal about a vertical axis to align the ring assembly and punch axis. The can end doming assemblies are mounted on a cross bar releaseable for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent one side of the frame, and an indexing pocketed discharge star wheel between the ironing ring and doming assemblies receives and discharges formed can blanks following the doming operation.

United States Patent Miller et al.

HORIZONTAL CAN IRONING PRESS Inventors: Stanley J. Miller; Bernard Hook,

both of Hastings, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company, Southfield, Mich.

[22] Filed: Apr. 8, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 458,392

[52] U.S. Cl. 72/349; 72/361; 72/467 [51] Int. Cl B2ld 22/30 [58} Field of Search 72/343, 347, 348, 349, 72/467, 468, 455, 456, 361

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 435,078 8/1890 Riley 72/347 1,882,798 10/1932 Fulton 72/348 1,952,195 3/1934 Candee et al. 72/347 3,270,544 9/1966 Maeder et al 72/348 3,289,450 12/1966 Clements i i 72/455 3,399,558 9/1968 Smith 3,464,250 9/1969 Stetka 3,491,574 1/1970 Helrigel et al. 72/348 3,771,345 11/1973 Paramonoff 72/349 1 1 June 17, 1975 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst Attorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry & Body [57] ABSTRACT An improved machine is provided for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom. The machine includes a frame supporting a reciprocable slide on which a pair of ironing punches are removably mounted. The frame is provided with squared-off gibs receiving and slidably supporting squared-off follower rods on the slide. Each punch is threadedly engaged with the slide, and corresponding punch removal assemblies provide quick assembly and disassembly of the punch and slide components. Adjustable ironing rings are provided for each punch, and each ring support assembly is pivotal about a vertical axis to align the ring assembly and punch axis. The can end doming assemblies are mounted on a cross bar releaseable for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent one side of the frame, and an indexing pocketed discharge star wheel between the ironing ring and doming assemblies receives and discharges formed can blanks following the doming operation.

27 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEIJJUN 17 ms m OE SHEET PATENTEDJUH 17 I975 FIG. 6

PATENTEDJUN 1 7 I975 SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 ms SHEET FIG. 8

0 &

l F6 a PATENTEDJUN 1 7 1915 SEEN FIG. IO

PATENTEDJUN 17 m5 SHEET 1 HORIZONTAL CAN IRONING PRESS This invention relates to the art of can making and, more particularly, to an improved forming press for making seamless can bodies.

The present invention is particularly suited for making seamless can bodies from metal, such as aluminum or steel, and, accordingly, will be described with particular reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is capable of broader application and could be used for making seamless can bodies or similar articles from a variety of materials.

As is well known, seamless metal can bodies are often produced by deep drawing a circular metal blank into a cupshaped member which is subsequently redrawn or ironed to elongate and thin the side wall of the blank to desired dimensions. Generally, the bottom wall of the blank is then domed axially inwardly of the side wall and the side wall is trimmed to the desired height to produce a can body having the required final size and configuration.

A variety of machines have been designed for achieving the ironing and doming operations in the production of a seamless can in the foregoing manner. Generally, such machines include a frame supporting at least one ram or punch for horizontal movement along a linear path between first and second positions. One or more ironing rings are supported by the frame in the path of movement of the punch and between the first and second positions thereof, whereby a can blank introduced onto the end of the punch moves through the ironing ring or rings during movement of the punch from the first to the second position to achieve ironing of the side wall of the blank. Such machines further generally include a doming assembly which is aligned with the punch and supported by the frame for engagement by the punch and a can blank thereon when the punch reaches its second position. The doming assembly and punch cooperate to achieve doming of the end wall of the can blank. Following such doming, the punch is returned to its first position, the can blank is stripped from the punch during initial return movement thereof, and the formed can is removed from the machine.

The present invention is directed to a machine of the foregoing character and in which certain of the operating components of the machine provide for improved performance, ease of assembly and adjustment, increased useful life and increased operating efficiency.

More particularly in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a can blank ironing press is provided which includes a slide supported by the press frame for reciprocating movement to simultaneously displace a punch or punches between first and second positions relative to the frame. The frame is provided with squared-off gibbing on laterally opposite sides thereof to receive squared-off guide bars mounted on the sides of the slide. Preferably, circular slide guide rods extend from the ends of each of the guide bars and are supported for reciprocation by apertured bearings mounted on the frame. The squared-off gibbing and support bar structure provides a simplified support bearing arrangement for the slide, and the slide guide rods add desirable stability and support for the slide during reciprocating movement thereof and especially during movement of the punch and a can blank thereon through the ironing rings.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the punch or punches of an ironing press are removably mounted on a reciprocable press slide in a manner which facilitates quick assembly and disassembly therebetween. In this respect, the slide is provided with a rotatable punch coupling member, and the coupling member and corresponding end of the punch are provided with cooperably interengaging threads. The coupling member on the slide is adapted to be rotated relative to the punch to achieve threaded engagement or disengagement therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, rotation of the coupling member is achieved by a drive gear arrangement including a drivable shaft exposed relative to the slide and rotatable relative thereto by a crank or the like, whereby the punch can be quickly assembled or disassembled from the slide to facilitate maintenance or replacement operations.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a unique ironing ring assembly including one or more ironing rings is provided for the punch of an ironing press. The axis of each ironing ring is adjustable laterally and vertically relative to the corresponding punch axis, and the ironing ring support is adjustable relative to the press frame about a vertical pivot axis at one end of the ring support. Adjustment of the ironing ring axis relative to the ironing ring support and punch axis is achieved by a rotatable cam arrangementv The cam arrangement includes a pair of cams underlying the ring and rotatable about axes parallel to the ring axis, and the cams are independently rotatable relative to the ring support member. The vertical axis about which the ring support member is pivotal intersects the horizontal punch axis. The pivot axis is disposed adjacent one end of the ring support member and thus pro vides for laterally aligning the ironing ring axis with the punch axis.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a doming assembly is provided for each punch member of an ironing press and is supported at a location for engagement by the punch member and a can blank thereon following the ironing operation. The doming assembly is mounted on a horizontal sup port member extending transversely of the punch axis, and one end of the support member is interconnected with the frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The other end of the support member is releaseably secured to the frame to support the doming assembly in the operative position thereof with respect to the punch. By releasing the secured end of the support member, the latter can be swung horizontally to one side of the frame, whereby the doming assembly is readily accessible for maintenance purposes or the like.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a two punch ironing press with a pocketed discharge wheel supported by the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis. The wheel is positioned axially beyond the ironing ring of the press and is provided with pockets adapted to receive formed can blanks upon return movement of the two punches from the extended toward the retracted positions thereof. In this respect, prior to the ironing operation the discharge wheel is positioned for empty pockets thereof to be aligned with the punch members. Upon completion of the ironing operation the punch members are returned to the retracted positions thereof and during the initial return movement the formed can blanks are stripped from the plungers and are deposited in the discharge wheel pockets. The discharge wheel is then in dexed to displace the formed can blanks along a discharge path and to position another pair of pockets in the wheel relative to the punch members. The discharge wheel is driven through the main drive assembly for the machine for the indexing of the wheel to be coordinated with punch reciprocation. The indexing discharge wheel provides structural simplicity and effi ciency in operation to achieve a desired control of the discharge of formed can blanks from a machine.

Accordingly. an outstanding object of the present invention is the provision of a can blank forming press having improved operating characteristics.

Another object is the provision of a can blank forming press arrangement which facilitates assembly, disassembly, adjustment and maintenance procedures and minimizes the time required for such procedures.

Yet another object is the provision of a can blank ironing press having an improved slide and slide support structure by which the slide and a punch assembly mounted thereon are supported for reciprocation relative to the press frame.

A further object is the provision ofa press of the foregoing character having an improved arrangement for removably mounting a punch component on the slide.

Another object is the provision of a can blank ironing press having an improved ironing ring support assembly which facilitates vertical and horizontal adjustment of an ironing ring axis relative to the corresponding punch axis.

Still a further object is the provision of a can blank ironing press having an improved ironing ring support assembly which facilitates adjustment of the axis of an ironing ring relative to a support member therefor, and adjustment of the support member relative to the corresponding punch axis, which adjustments are independent of one another.

Still a further object is the provision of an ironing and doming press having an improved support structure for the doming assembly and by which the doming assembly is releaseably supported for pivotal movement relative to the frame from an operable to an inoperable position with respect to the corresponding punch.

Yet another object is the provision of a can blank ironing press having an improved arrangement for discharging formed can blanks from the machine.

Still another object is the provision of an improved ironing and doming press which is of simple construction, is efficient and durable in operation and is capable of producing can bodies at a high rate.

The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the written description of a preferred embodiment of apparatus appearing in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of an ironing and doming press constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the press taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially in section, of the slide assembly and the corresponding portion of the press frame of the ironing and doming press shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view of the slide and frame assembly taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the punch removal assembly taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view of the punch removal assembly taken along line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an ironing ring tool assembly of the press;

FIG. 7A is a sectional side elevation view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a plan view in section of the tool assembly the view being taken along line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation view of the tool assembly taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional elevation view of the tool assembly taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. II is a sectional elevation view of the tool assembly taken along line ll-ll in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a sectional elevation view of the tool assembly taken along line I2l2 in FIG. 8;

FIG. I3 is an enlarged plan view of the doming assembly of the press illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view of the doming as sembly;

FIG. 15 is a plan view in section of a doming unit taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 14; and,

FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of the discharge star wheel assembly for the press.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall arrangement of the ironing and doming press which includes a horizontally extending main rame A which supports a main drive assembly B for reciprocating a punch and slide assembly C in working relationship with ironing ring assemblies D and doming assemblies E. Cup-shaped metal can blanks are sequentially fed to the punch members of punch and slide assembly C by a feed assembly F located between the punch and slide assembly and the ironing ring assembly D. The blanks are fed in timed relationship with reciprocation of the punch and slide assembly, and the ironing ring assembly D and doming assembly E function respectively to elongate the side walls of the can blanks and dome-in the bottom walls thereof to form a can having the desired final configuration. The formed can bodies are discharged from the machine by an indexing discharge assembly G positioned beneath the path of movement of the punch members and between ironing ring assembly D and doming assembly E.

FRAME A The specific construction and arrangement of frame A is not of particular importance to the invention; however, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the frame is comprised of upright wall members 10 and 12 defining one side, and upright wall members I4, l6, l8 and 20 defining the other side. The frame further includes a cross plate 22 at one end thereof, a cross plate 24 at the other end thereof, and cross plates 26 and 28 intermediate the opposite ends of the frame. A horizontal frame plate 30 extends across and is disposed atop side plates 12 and 14, and horizontal frame plates 32 and 34 extend respectively between the upper and lower edges of cross plates 24 and 28. The several wall members are welded or otherwise interconnected to provide a rigid frame unit and are likewise welded or otherwise suitably interconnected with a base plate 36 having mounting strips 38 extending therebeneath and across the frame.

DRIVE ASSEMBLY B The drive assembly includes a fixed speed, geared motor 40 and a crank assembly 42 including a crank member 44 supported for rotation about a crank axis 46 by a pair of bearing block assemblies 48 mounted within the frame on support plates 50. One end of the crankshaft extends through wall member and a bearing assembly 52 supported by the wall member and is provided outside the frame with a flywheel 54 which is interconnected with drive motor 40 by a suitable endless belt 56. Accordingly. rotation of the output shaft of motor 40 rotates flywheel S2 to rotate crank member 44. The other end of the crankshaft extends through wall member and a suitable bearing assembly 58 supported thereby and is connected through an endless belt 60 with a pulley 62 fixed on the input shaft of a gear box 64 having an output shaft 66 which drives the formed can discharge assembly G as described more fully hereinafter. It will be appreciated that other power take-offs may be employed in conjunction with crankshaft rotation to achieve desired functions such as, for example, operation of the feed mechanism for introducing can blanks into the press.

Crank member 44 includes a pair of crank arms 68 pivotally interconnected at their outer ends with one end of a connecting rod 70. Any suitable interconnection between the crank arms and rod 70 can be provided and in the embodiment illustrated the end of the connecting rod is recessed and provided with a recessed connection cap 72 which together with the end of the rod cooperatively receive crank pin 74. A suit able bushing 76 is interposed between crank pin 74 and the connecting rod. The other end of connecting rod 70 is pivotally interconnected with the slide component of punch and slide assembly C. In this respect, as best seen in FIG. 3, the latter end of connecting rod 70 is provided with an aperture 78 lined with a suitable bushing 80 to receive a wrist pin 82 having its opposite ends suitably interconnected with the slide member.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that rotation of crank member 44 about axis 46 imparts reciprocating movement to the punch and slide assembly C relative to the frame and between first and second positions corresponding to the opposite ends of the throw of the crank member. Cross plate 28 is of course provided with a suitable window 77 through which connecting rod 70 extends. Pin 82 has a horizontal axis 84 about which the corresponding end of connecting rod 70 pivots during reciprocating movement of the punch and slide assembly, and pin axis 84 and crank axis 46 lie in a common horizontal plane.

SLIDE AND PUNCH ASSEMBLY C The slide and punch assembly C and the component parts thereof are illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 of the drawing. With regard first to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that assembly C includes a slide designated generally by the numeral 86 and a pair of punches 88 which are removably mounted on the slide as set forth more fully hereinafter. Slide 86 includes a top plate 90 and a bottom plate 92 which are spaced apart and interconnected in parallel relationship by longitudinally extending ribs 94. Ribs 94 are spaced laterally inwardly of the corresponding side edges of plates 90 and 92 and are interconnected with the slide plates such as by welding.

Slide 86 further includes a vertical front plate 96 extending across the front edges of plates and 92 and interconnected therewith such as by welding. The slide structure thus defined is further reinforced by upper and lower gusset plates 98 welded to front plate 96 and the corresponding one of the upper and lower plates 90 and 92.

Each side of slide 86 is provided with a guide bar 100 having coaxial first and second portions 102 and 104. Portion 102 of each bar is generally coextensive with the length of slide 86 and is square or rectangular in cross section. The laterally inner portions of bar portions 102 are disposed in a recess along the corresponding side of the slide defined by rib 94 and slide plates 90 and 92. The guide bars are fastened to the slide such as by a plurality of threaded fasteners 106 extending through plates 90 and 92 and into corresponding threaded recesses in bar portions 102, and laterally inwardly extending fasteners 108 which extend through openings in bar portions 102 and into corresponding threaded openings in ribs 94.

The laterally outer portions of bar portions 102 are provided with squared-off bearing surfaces which, in the embodiment disclosed, are defined by upper and lower bronze bearing wear strips 110 and 112, respectively, and an outer bronze bearing wear strip 114. Wear strips 110, 112 and 114 are generally coextensive with the length of bar portions 102 and are suitably aligned with and secured thereto such as by corresponding aligning pins and threaded fasteners, not designated numerically. The outermost surfaces of wear strips 110 and 112 provide vertically spaced apart parallel guide surfaces for the slide, and the outer surface of wear strip 114 provides a vertical guide surface perpendicular to the planes of the upper and lower guide surfaces.

Bar portions 102 and thus slide 86 are supported relative to frame A by corresponding support and guide assemblies 116 mounted on the frame. Each support and guide assembly includes a horizontally extending support plate 118 Welded or otherwise secured to the corresponding frame wall together with supporting gusset plates 120. The support and guide assemblies further include an L-shaped gib member 122 and an upper gib member 124 which together define a C-shaped guide structure or channel opening toward slide 86. Upper gib member 124 is suitably secured to member 122 such as by threaded fasteners 126, and member 122 is suitably secured to support plate 118 such as by corresponding fasteners 128 and 130. Further, the upright portion of L-shaped gib member 122 is provided with outwardly extending studs 132 having inner ends in threaded engagement with threaded recesses in the upright portion. The outer ends of studs 132 extend through openings therefor in the side walls of the frame and receive nuts 134, whereby the gib members are further securely interconnected with the frame structure.

Gib members 122 and 124 as well as support plate 118 therebeneath are of a length longitudinally of the frame corresponding generally to the stroke of slide 86 as defined by the throw of crank 44. Moreover, the inner surfaces of upper gib member 124 and the bottom portion of gib member 122 define vertically spaced parallel planar surfaces slidably engaged by the corresponding one of the wear strips 110 and 112, and the inner surface of the upright portion of gib member 122 defines a vertical planar surface slidably engaged by wear strip 114. Line 136 represents a horizontal center line through the longitudinal axes of guide bars 100, and line 136 is coplanar with crank axis 46 and axis 84 of the pivotal connection between connecting rod and slide 86.

Rod portions 104 are integral with the corresponding rod portion 102 and extend forwardly of slide 86 to a location beyond cross plate 26 of the frame. The latter cross plate is positioned just forwardly of the adjacent end of slide 86 when the latter is disposed at the end of its forward stroke as indicated by line 138. Rod portions 104 preferably are circular in cross section, and cross plate 26 is provided with corresponding openings through which the forward or free ends of rod portions 104 extend. Further, slide rod bearing blocks 142 are mounted on the front side of cross plate 26 such as by bolts 144 and are provided with suitable bearing sleeves 146 which receive and slidably support guide rod portions 104.

Doming assembly mounting plates 148 are mounted on end plate 22 of frame A by bolts 150 (see FIG. 1) for the purpose set forth hereinafter, and the upper ends of mounting plates 148 are interconnected with cross plate 26 by corresponding pairs of support rods 152. The inner ends of rods 152 are threaded for engagement with threaded apertures in cross plate 26, and the outer ends of rods 152 extend through mounting plates 148 and are secured thereto by nuts 154 threaded onto the outer ends thereof. To protect guide rod portions 104 from dirt and other foreign matter, slide rod covers 156 are provided between mounting plates 148 and bearing blocks 142 and are retained in place therebetween by having the opposite ends thereof disposed in corresponding recesses in the mounting plates and bearing blocks. During reciprocating movement of slide 86, guide rod portions 104 stabilize slide movement to minimize the effects of side and vertical thrust resulting from crank displacement and forces exerted back on the slide as a result of move ment of the punches and can blanks thereon through the ironing rings.

Punch members 88 extend forwardly from front wall 96 of slide 86 and through corresponding openings 158 provided therefor in cross plate 26 of frame A. Correspending punch rod bearing block assemblies 160 are mounted on the forward side of cross plate 26 such as by threaded fasteners 162 and are lined with suitable bushings 164 which guide and support reciprocating movement of the punches in response to reciprocation of slide 86. When the slide is at the rearward end of its stroke as indicated by the solid line positions of the components in FIG. 3, the forward or free ends of punches 88 are positioned at feed station F of the machine to receive can blanks to be formed. Can blanks can be fed to and positioned on the punches in any desired manner. such as by hand, or by a suitable feed mechanism, the operation of which is coordinated with slide reciprocation to achieve positioning of can blanks on the punch rods when the free ends thereof are posi tioned at the feed station. The particular manner in which can blanks are introduced onto the punches does not form a part of the present invention and accordingly the feed mechanism is only schematically illustrated.

As mentioned hereinabove, punch rods 88 are removably mounted on slide 86. The manner and mechanism by which this is achieved will be best understood by referring to the illustrations in FIGS. 5 and 6 together with the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4. Slide 86 is provided with a punch removal assembly 166 for each of the punch rods 88. The punch rods and punch removal assemblies are of identical structure and it will be appreciated, therefore, that the following description of one punch rod and its associated punch removal assembly is applicable to both.

The end of punch rod 88 to be engaged with the slide is provided with an externally threaded terminal stem portion 168 and a cylindrical stem portion 170 axially adjacent thereto and separated from the body of the punch by a tapered peripheral flange 172, the purpose of which is set forth hereinafter. Slide 86 is provided with a support block 174 between slide plates 90 and 92 and which is welded or otherwise secured to the latter slide plates and to front plate 96 of the slide. Front plate 96 and block 174 are provided with an axially extending opening adapted to receive a punch retainer sleeve 176. Sleeve 176 is internally bored to slidably receive stem portion 170 and to rotatably support a driven sleeve 178. Sleeve 178 is internally threaded to cooperatively interengage with externally threaded stem portion 168 of the punch.

Retainer sleeve 176 is secured in place with respect to the slide by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners 180 extending into front plate 96 of the slide. The inner end of rotatable sleeve 178 is provided with a stem portion 182, and a suitable sleeve bearing 184 is interposed between stem portion 182 and the bore in block 174. A worm gear 186 is mounted on stem portion 182 by means of threaded fasteners 188 and is adapted to be driven to rotate sleeve 178 relative to retainer sleeve 176. In this respect, top plate 90 of slide 86 and block 174 are provided with a vertical opening 190 adjacent the opening receiving sleeves 176 and 178. Opening 190 receives a worm shaft 192 having a worm 194 keyed or otherwise secured thereto for rotation therewith. The lower end of shaft 192 is rotatably supported by a flanged bearing sleeve 196 and the upper end of shaft 192 is rotatably supported by a sleeve bearing 198. Bearing 198 extends from worm 194 and into a recess provided therefor in a worm shaft retainer plate 200 which is secured in place with respect to top plate 90 of the slide by threaded fasteners 202. Worm 194 meshes with worm gear 186, and the outer end of worm shaft 192 extends upwardly from the slide and is squared-off in cross section to receive a tool or the like for rotating the worm shaft.

It will be appreciated that rotation of worm shaft 192 and thus worm 194 rotates worm gear 186 and thus sleeve 178 relative to sleeve 176. Accordingly, by suitably supporting punch 88 against rotation relative to sleeve 176, the rotation of sleeve 178 provides for the punch to be threadedly engaged or disengaged from sleeve [78 depending on the direction of rotation thereof. The punch can be manually held or, alternatively, suitable holding means, not illustrated, can be provided in connection with support assemblies 160 for the punches to grip the punches and restrain rotation thereof during a punch removal or inserting operation. Any suitable tool such as a manually actuated crank or a pneumatically actuated wrench can be employed to achieve rotation of worm shaft 192.

During a punch inserting operation, stem portion 170 of the punch and fixed sleeve 176 are cooperable to guide movement of the punch mounting end axially into the sleeve, and a tapered washer 204 is cooperable with tapered flange 172 on the punch to achieve the desired alignment of the punch axis with regard to the slide path. it is to be noted at this point that a horizontal line transverse to and through the longitudinal axes of the punches is coplanar with line 136 mentioned hereinabove and accordingly with axis 84 of connecting rod pin 82 and the axis of crank pin 74. Further, while sleeve 178 is disclosed as being internally threaded to receive the externally threaded terminal portion 168 of the punch, it will be appreciated that this structural arrangement could be reversed. Moreover, it will be appreciated that arrangements other than the specific arrangement illustrated and described can readily be provided for rotating the threaded member in the slide relative to the punch to achieve threaded engagement and disengagement therebetween.

lRONING RING ASSEMBLY D As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, ironing ring assembly D is comprised of a pair of ironing units 210 and 212 supported by the frame in alignment with the path of movement of a corresponding one of the punches 88. The structure of ironing units 210 and 212 and the structural mounting thereof on frame A is identical. Accordingly, only one of the units, namely unit 210, will be described in detail.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 l2, ironing ring unit 210 includes a base plate 214 which, in the embodiment illustrated, overlies a bolster plate 215 mounted on horizontal frame plate 30. A plurality of ironing ring support blocks 216, 218, 220 and 222 are mounted on base plate 214 such as by threaded fasteners 224 extending upwardly through the base plate and into corresponding threaded recesses in the bottoms of the support blocks. The support blocks are axially spaced apart in the direction of punch movement to receive ironing rings therebetween and it will be appreciated that the number of support blocks will vary depending on the number of ironing stages desired. In the embodiment disclosed, the four support blocks receive and support three ironing rings 226, 228 and 230.

Each ironing ring is an annular component provided on the inner periphery thereof with an integral or at tached ironing annulus cooperable with the punch to iron the peripheral side wall of a can body blank on the punch as the latter advances progressively through the rings. As is well known, the desired ironing is achieved by providing for the diameter of each ironing annulus to be smaller than the annulus on the preceding ring. It is essential in order to achieve a uniform wall thickness for the formed can body to provide for the axes of the ironing rings to be accurately aligned relative to one another and to the corresponding punch axis. In accordance with the present invention, such relative alignment of the ironing ring axes is achieved by supporting the lower peripheral portion of each ironing ring on a pair of rotatable eccentrics or cam elements which are independently rotatable about their axes to achieve horizontal and vertical adjustment of the position of the corresponding ring and thus the ring axis relative to the support members, as described more fully hereinafter.

The ironing rings are tightly received between the support blocks on opposite sides thereof and are slidable relative thereto to facilitate movement thereof during an adjustment operation. Further, the rings are biased downwardly into engagement with the corresponding cams by means of spring biased plungers disposed in a cover block 232 overlying the support blocks and pivotally interconnected therewith along one longitudinal edge of the blocks. More particularly, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, the inner longitudinal edges of blocks 218 and 222 and the corresponding edge of cover 232 are provided with hinge assemblies 234. Each hinge assembly includes a pair of hinge leaves bolted or otherwise secured one to the corresponding mounting block and the other to the cover. The leaves are pivotal about a hinge pin 236 therebetween and, accordingly, cover 232 is adapted to be pivoted upwardly and clockwise as viewed in FIG. 9 to an open position relative to the mounting blocks.

Cover 232 is adapted to be releaseably maintained in the closed position thereof overlying the mounting blocks by means of a pair of pivotal clamp assemblies 238. The clamp assemblies are disposed along the outer longitudinal edges of the mounting blocks and cover. Each assembly 238 includes a threaded rod 240 having a lower end disposed in a recess in a corresponding one of the mounting blocks 218 and 220. The lower end of each rod 240 is interconnected such as by a pin 242 with the corresponding block for pivotal movement of the rod 240 laterally outwardly relative to cover 232. The cover is provided with laterally inwardly extending slots 244 for rods 240, and the upper ends of rods 240 are threaded to receive an internally threaded clamping handle 246. It will be apparent therefore that by unscrewing handles 246 relative to rods 240 the rods are freed for pivotal movement outwardly of cover 232 to release the cover for pivotal movement about hinge pins 236. Likewise, by screwing handles 246 downwardly into tight engagement with cover 232 the latter is securely retained in place relative to the underlying mounting blocks.

As best seen in FIGS. 7A and 9, cover 232 is provided along the longitudinal center line thereof with a plurality of openings 248 each of which is aligned in overlying relationship with the ring space between adjacent ones of support blocks 216, 218, 220 and 222. Each opening 248 receives a spring retainer sleeve 250 suitably secured to the cover such as by threaded fasteners 252. Each sleeve receives and supports a plunger component 254 having an intermediate peripheral flange 256 and a lower end 258 which extends through an opening therefor in sleeve 250 and into engagement with the underlying ironing ring component. A com pression spring 260 is disposed between flange 256 and a retainer cap 262 which is threaded or otherwise suitably secured to sleeve 250 to retain the spring therein. Spring 260, of course, exerts a downwardly biasing force against the underlying ring component to bias the ring component against the underlying adjustment cams.

The supporting and adjusting cams for each ironing ring component are disposed therebeneath in the ring space between adjacent support blocks and are mounted in the blocks for rotation about axes parallel to the ring axis. The cams are laterally spaced apart on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of base plate 214 so as to be engaged by the corresponding ironing ring at circumferentially spaced points thereabout. Further, the cams are independently rotatable about their axes to achieve adjustment of the ironing ring axis in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. In the embodiment disclosed, as best seen in FIG. 8, cams 264 and 266 are disposed in the space between mounting blocks 216 and 218 to support ironing ring 226, cams 268 and 270 are disposed in the space between mounting blocks 218 and 220 to support ironing ring 228, and earns 272 and 274 are disposed in the space between mounting blocks 220 and 222 to support ironing ring 230.

Each of the six cam components is independently rotatable about its axis by means ofa gear mechanism associated therewith as described hereinafter. The six cam components are identical in cross-sectional configuration and are of an axial length corresponding to the space between the adjacent mounting blocks. Further, the manner in which each set of cams and the gear mechamisms therefor are associated with the corresponding mounting blocks is similar. Accordingly, only one set of the cams and the gear mechanisms therefor are described in detail herein and it will be appreciated that the description is applicable to the remaining sets of cams and associated gear mechanisms.

As best seen in FIGS. 8-10, cam 272 is disposed in the space between mounting blocks 220 and 222 and is provided with camshaft portions 276 and 278 extending from the opposite ends thereof and into corresponding bores provided in the mounting blocks. Shaft portions 276 and 278 are integral with cam 272, and suitable bearing sleeves 280 and 282 are interposed between the shaft portions and corresponding mounting block bores to support the cam for rotation about a horizontal axis 284 which is parallel to the ring axis. Cam surface 286 of cam 272 is circular in cross section, and axis 288 of surface 286 is laterally offset and parallel to the axis of rotation 284 of the cam.

Mounting block 220 is provided with an axially extending recess 290, and a worm gear 292 is disposed in recess 290 and is pinned or otherwise mounted on shaft portion 276 for rotation therewith. Mounting block 220 is further provided with a transversely extending bore 294, and a gear drive shaft 296 is supported in the bore for rotation relative to mounting block 222 by suitable bearing sleeves 298. The inner end ofshaft 294 is provided with a worm wheel 300 and the corresponding end of bore 296 is enlarged to receive the worm wheel which is pinned or otherwise secured to shaft 296 for rotation therewith. Worm gear 292 and worm wheel 300 are disposed in meshing engagement, and an adjusting nut 302 is mounted on the outer end of shaft 296 by a pin 304 whereby rotation of the adjusting nut imparts rotation to worm wheel 300 through shaft 296 to rotate worm gear 292 and thus cam 272 about axis 284. Adjusting nut 302 is provided with a plurality of radially extending apertures 306 adapted to receive an appropriate tool for manually rotating shaft 296. Preferably, a spring biased plunger 308 is mounted on base plate 214 of the ironing ring nut unit by means of a support bracket 310 to engage adjusting nut 302 to frictionally restrain unintended rotation of shaft 296.

Cam 274, as best seen in FIGS. 8, 9, l1 and 12, is similar to cam 272. ln this respect, cam 274 includes camshaft portions 312 and 314 extending into corresponding bores in mounting blocks 220 and 222. Bearing sleeves 316 and 318 support the shaft portions and accordingly cam 274 for rotation about an axis 320 which is parallel to the axis of rotation 284 of cam 272 and the ironing ring axis. Further, the outer or cam surface 322 of cam 274 is circular in cross section, and

axis 324 of surface 322 is offset and parallel with respect to axis 320. Mounting block 222 is provided with a recess 326 and a worm gear 328 is disposed in the recess and is pinned or otherwise secured to shaft portion 312 for rotation therewith.

Mounting block 222 is further provided with a transversely extending bore 330 disposed beneath and communicating with bore 326. A gear shaft 232 is disposed in bore 330 and is supported therein for rotation relative to mounting block 222 by an inner bearing sleeve 334 and an outer bearing sleeve 336 mounted in the bore by an apertured support plate 338. A worm wheel 340 is disposed in bore 330 in meshing engagement with worm gear 328 and is pinned or otherwise mounted on shaft 332 for rotation therewith. The outer end of shaft 332 is provided with a radially apertured adjusting nut 342 similar to adjusting nut 302 and which is mounted on shaft 332 by means of a pin 344. The outer ends of gear shafts 296 and 332 are disposed on a common side of the mounting blocks, and bracket 310 described hereinabove is of a length sufficient for the bracket to support a second spring biased plunger 346 which engages adjusting nut 342 in the manner and for the purpose set forth hereinabove with regard to pin 308 associated with adjusting nut 302.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that cams 272 and 274 are independently rotatable about their axes and that such rotation displaces the respective eccentric axes 228 and 324 about axes of rotation 284 and 320. It will be further appreciated that such independent rotation of the cams provides for selectively shifting the axis of ironing ring 230 horizontally and/or vertically in a plane transverse to the ring axis. As mentioned hereinabove, each cam of the three sets disclosed is provided with a corresponding gear mechanism for rotating the cam and, preferably, the gear mechanisms of each cam are actuable from a common side of the mounting blocks and preferably from the side of the blocks adjacent the corresponding side of the press frame as illustrated herein.

Adjustment of the ironing ring axes relative to one another in the foregoing manner advantageously enables accurate alignment of the ironing ring axes with one another and with the corresponding punch axis. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, base plate 214 of each ironing ring unit is mounted on the frame for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis at one end of the base plate and which axis intersects the axis of the corresponding punch member. Further, the ring supporting blocks are preferably keyed to base plate 214 along the longitudinal center line of the base plate, which center line intersects the pivot axis for the base plate and vertically underlies the ironing ring axis. These features, structurally described hereinafter, provide for the ironing ring support blocks to be accurately positioned on the base plate with respect to one another and the longitudinal center line of the base plate, and provide for the base plate center line and ironing ring axes to be angularly adjusted laterally relative to the corresponding punch axis.

The foregoing alignment features are applicable to each ironing ring unit and therefore it will be appreciated that the following description of these features in connection with one of the ironing ring units is applicable to the other. As best seen in FIGS. 7, 7A, 8 and 9, base plate 214 has a longitudinal center line 348 and is provided with a keyway 350 which is longitudinally symmetric with respect to center line 348. ironing ring support blocks 216, 218, 220 and 222 are provided on the bottom sides thereof with corresponding keyways 352, 354, 356 and 358. Each of the latter keyways is disposed laterally centrally of the corresponding support block to overlie keyway 350 in base plate 214, and the opposed keyways receive a unitary key strip 360. The keyed interrelationship between the base plate and ironing ring support blocks enables the support blocks to be positioned on the base plate in the desired laterally aligned relationship with respect thereto and to one another and for this relationship to be maintained when the mounting blocks are bolted in place on the base plate.

As mentioned hereinabove. base plate 214 is adapted to rest on bolster plate 215 which is mounted on horizontal frame plate 30. The end of base plate 214 which is the exit end with regard to plunger movement through the ring unit is provided with a pin recess 362 having a vertical axis 364 which intersects longitudinal center line 348 of the base plate. Bolster plate 215 is provided with a pin recess 366 having a vertical axis 368 which intersects the longitudinal axis of a corresponding punch member 88. Base plate 214 and bolster plate 215 are pivotally interconnected by a pin 370 having a peripheral flange 372 intermediate the opposite ends thereof and which is received in a corresponding recess 374 in bolster plate 215. Pin 370 is secured to the bolster plate by means of a plurality of fasteners 376 extending through flange 372, and the pin includes coaxial upper and lower portions 378 and 380 disposed respectively in pin recesses 362 and 366. It will be appreciated, therefore, that base plate 214 and thus the corresponding ironing unit is horizontally pivotal about axis 364 to achieve lateral angular alignment of the ironing ring axes with the corresponding punch axis.

Preferably, pviotal movement of the ironing ring unit about axis 364 is achieved through an adjusting screw mechanism 382 interengaging bolster plate 215 and base plate 214 of the ironing ring unitv Any suitable adjusting screw arrangement can be employed and, in the embodiment illustrated, the mechanism includes an adjusting screw 384 having a T-shaped head 386 which is circular in cross section and is received in a vertical T- slot 388 in base plate 214. The outer end of the adjusting screw is provided with a tool head 390, and a portion of the screw between heads 386 and 390 is threaded and extends through a corresponding threaded opening 392 in a support block 394 mounted on bolster plate 215 by threaded fasteners 396. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that rotation of screw 384 relative to block 394 displaces the screw axially of opening 392 to pivot the ironing ring unit about axis 364. Once the ironing ring unit is pivoted in this manner to align the ring axes with the corresponding ram axis. base plate 214 is clamped in the desired position. In the embodiment disclosed. such clamping is achieved by means of a pair of clamping elements 398 and corresponding threaded fasteners 400 disposed along the leading edge of the base plate. In addition to providing for horizontal pivotal adjustment of the ironing ring unit as described above, pin 370 provides a sin gle component which bears the entire thrust generated by movement of the punch and a can blank thereon through the ironing ring unit. Ideally, pin axis 364, the axes of the corresponding ironing rings and the axis of the corresponding punch are coplanar in a vertical plane through longitudinal center line 348 of the ironing ring unit. The ironing ring and ironing unit adjustments described hereinabove maximize the capability of achieving and maintaining the desired relationship.

DOMING ASSEMBLY B As best seen in FIGS. 3, l3 and 14, doming assembly E is comprised of a pair of doming units 402 mounted on a transverse support bar 404 for each of the doming units to be axially aligned with the corresponding one of the punches 88. As is well known, following movement of a punch and a can blank thereon through the corresponding ironing ring unit to elongate and thin the side wall of the can. the plunger moves into engagement with the corresponding doming unit to dome the closed end of the can blank axially inwardly of the can side wall. Any suitable doming unit structure can be employed for this purpose and in the preferred embodiment illustrated herein the doming units are identical and of the structure illustrated in FIG. 15. Accordingly, the following description of the doming unit illustrated in FIG. 15 is applicable to both units.

As seen in FIG. 15, cross bar 404 is provided with an opening 406 therethrough which is axially aligned with the corresponding punch axis. The doming unit is securely mounted on cross bar 404 for the moving components of the unit to be coaxial with the punch axis. The doming unit includes an axially reciprocable doming head assembly 408 comprised of a doming head member 410, collar member 412 and air line stem 414, all of which components are releaseably interconnected by a plurality of threaded fasteners 416. A piston 418 surrounds air stem 414 and is disposed in a cup-shaped cylinder member 420 secured to cross bar 404 by means of threaded fasteners 422.

Piston 418 is reciprocable relative to cylinder member 420 and the end wall of the cylinder is provided with a passageway 424 through which air under pressure is introduced into the cylinder behind piston 418 to bias the latter toward the corresponding punch. Movement of piston 418 and accordingly doming head assembly 408 in the direction of the end wall of cylinder member 420 is limited by a stop collar 426 which is externally threaded for engagement with an internally threaded support collar 428 mounted on the end wall of the cylinder by threaded fasteners 430. Accordingly, stop collar 426 is axially adjustable relative to cylinder member 420 to adjust the stopping point of piston 418 and doming head assembly 408.

Opening 406 in cross bar 404 is provided with a cylindrical bushing 432 which is retained in place with respect to the cross bar by a retainer ring 434 secured to the cross bar by threaded fasteners 436. An axially reciprocable liftout ring 438 is interposed between bushing 432 and doming head member 410, and the doming head member and air stern 414 are provided with air passageways 440 and 442, respectively, through which air under pressure is introduced behind lift-out ring 438 to bias the latter toward the corresponding punch member. It will be appreciated, of course, that air stem 414 and air passageway 424 in cylinder member 420 are adapted to be connected to a source or sources of air under pressure, not illustrated.

In operation, an ironed can blank W on punch 88 is advanced into engagement with doming head member 410 and lift-out ring 438, the latter of which engages 

1. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, punch means supported by said frame for reciprocation between first and second positions along a linear path, ironing ring means coaxial with said punch means and supported by said frame between said first and second positions, said punch means receiving a can blank in said first position and being cooperable with said ironing ring means to form said blank upon movement of said punch means to said second position, and means to reciprocate said punch means between said first and second positions, the improvement comprising: said punch means including slide means reciprocable along said path, said slide means having spaced apart horizontally parallel sides, opposed guide channel means on said frame receiving a corresponding one of said slide sides, each said guide channel means including horizontally extending vertically spaced parallel planar guide surfaces and a vertically extending planar guide surface therebetween and perpendicular thereto, each of said slide sides including corresponding follower surfaces slidably engaging said horizontally and vertically extending guide surfaces, said slide sides each including bar means having first and second end portions, said follower surfaces being on said first end portions, each said guide channel means having an end in the direction from said first position toward said second position, said second end portions of said bar means extending from said first end portions in said dirsction, and apertured bearing means fixed relative to said frame adjacent said ends of said guide channel means receiving and slidably supporting said second end portions of said bar means.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said second end portions of said bar means are circular in cross section and said apertured bearing means includes corresponding sleeve bearing means for each said second end portions.
 3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said follower surfaces on said slide sides are bearing strips mounted on said first end portions of said bar means.
 4. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, slide means supported by said frame for reciprocating movement along a linear path between first and second positions, at least one punch rod mounted on said slide means for movement therewith, ironing ring means supported by said frame and positioned coaxial with said punch rod for a can blank received on said punch rod to be formed by movement of said punch rod through said ring means during movement of said slide means from said first to said second position, and means to reciprocate said slide means, the improvement comprising: said punch rod having a mounting end interengagable with said slide means, and means removably interengaging said punch rod and slide means, said interengaging means including a member supported by said slide means for rotation relative thereto about an axis, cooperatively interengagable thread means on said member and said mounting end of said punch rod, and operating means supported by said slide means for rotating said member in opposite directions about said axis, said operating means being selectively actuable independent of said means to reciprocate sAid slide means.
 5. The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said operating means for rotating said member includes first gear means mounted on said member for rotation therewith, second gear means supported by said slide means for rotation relative thereto in meshing engagement with said first gear means, and means for rotating said second gear means.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said cooperatively interengagable thread means is defined by external threads on said mounting end of said punch rod and an internally threaded recess in said rotatable member.
 7. The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said slide means has spaced apart horizontally parallel sides, each of said sides including bar means having a first portion nearest said first position and a second portion nearest said second position, said first portions of said bar means each including vertically spaced parallel planar bearing surfaces and a laterally outer planar bearing surface perpendicular thereto, opposed guide channel means on said frame each slidably receiving a corresponding one of said first portions of said bar means, each said guide channel means having guide surfaces engaging said vertically spaced and outer bearing surfaces, each said guide channel means having an end in the direction from said first position toward said second position, and apertured bearing means fixed relative to said frame adjacent said end of each guide channel means, each said apertured bearing means receiving and slidably supporting said second portion of the corresponding bar means.
 8. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, punch means supported by said frame for reciprocation between first and second positions along a linear path, at least one ironing ring, means supporting said ironing ring on said frame between said first and second positions for a can blank received on said punch means in said first position to be formed by movement of said punch means through said ironing ring to said second position, and means to reciprocate said punch means between said first and second positions, the improvement comprising: said support means for said ironing ring including a pair of support members axially spaced apart to receive said ring therebetween, a pair of rotatable cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to one another and to the axis of said ring, and means to independently rotate said cam members.
 9. The improvement according to claim 8, and cover means overlying said support members and including a portion overlying said space therebetween, and spring biased plunger means supported by said cover means and depending therefrom into said space to engage and bias said ring into engagement with said cam members.
 10. The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said means supporting each said cam members for rotation includes corresponding camshaft means, said means to rotate said cam members including first gear means on said camshaft means of each cam member for rotation therewith, second gear means for rotating each said first gear means, and corresponding gear shaft means supporting each said second gear means for rotation relative to said support members.
 11. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, punch means supported by said frame for reciprocation between first and second positions along a linear path, at least one ironing ring, means supporting said ironing ring on said frame between said first and second positions for a can blank received on said punch means in said first position to be formed by movement of said punch means through said ironing ring to said second position, and means to reciprocate said punch means between said first and second positions, the improvement comprising: said support means for said ironing ring including a pair of support members axially spaced apart to receive said ring therebetween, a pair of cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to one another and to the axis of said ring, means to independently rotate said cam members, said punch means including slide means and at least one punch member mounted on said slide means for movement therewith, said slide means having spaced apart horizontally parallel sides, each of said sides including bar means having a first portion nearest said first position and a second portion nearest said second position, said first portions of said bar means each including vertically spaced parallel planar bearing surfaces and a lterally outer planar bearing surface perpendicular thereto, opposed guide channel means on said frame each slidably receiving a corresponding one of said first portions of said bar means, each said guide channel means having guide surfaces engaging said vertically spaced outer bearing surfaces, each said guide channel means having an end in the direction from said first position toward said second position, and apertured bearing means fixed relative to said frame adjacent said end of each guide channel means, each said apertured bearing means receiving and slidably supporting said second portion of the corresponding bar means.
 12. The improvement according to claim 10, wherein each said gear shaft means has an outer end exposed on a common side of said support members, and means on each of said outer ends for manually rotating the corresponding gear shaft means.
 13. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, punch means supported by said frame for reciprocation between first and second positions along a linear path, at least one ironing ring, means supporting said ironing ring on said frame coaxial with said punch means for a can blank received on said punch means in said first position to be formed by movement of said punch means through said ironing ring to said second position, and means to reciprocate said punch means between said first and second positions, the improvement comprising: said support means for said ironing ring including a horizontal base plate generally parallel to the axis of said ring and support plate means underlying said base plate, said base plate having opposite ends in the direction between said first and second positions and a longitudinal axis in said direction, pin means interconnecting said base plate with said support plate means for said base plate to pivot about a generally vertical axis through said longitudinal axis and at one of said opposite ends, and releaseable means holding said base plate against pivotal movement relative to said support plate means.
 14. The improvement according to claim 13, wherein the one of said opposite ends of said base plate is the end furtherest from said first location in said direction.
 15. The improvement according to claim 14, and adjusting screw means at the other of said opposite ends of said base plate for pivoting said base plate relative to said support plate means.
 16. The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said punch means includes slide means and at least one punch member mounted on said slide means for movement therewith, and wherein said slide means has spaced apart horizontally parallel sides, each of said sides including bar means having a first portion nearest said first position and a second portion nearest said second position, said first portions of said bar means each including vertically spaced parallel planar bearing surfaces and a lateRally outer planar bearing surface perpendicular thereto, opposed guide channel means on said frame each slidably receiving a corresponding one of said first portions of said bar means, each said guide channel means having guide surfaces engaging said vertically spaced and outer bearing surfaces, each said guide channel means having an end in the direction from said first position toward said second position, and apertured bearing means fixed relative to said frame adjacent said end of each guide channel means, each said apertured bearing means receiving and slidably supporting said second portion of the corresponding bar means.
 17. The improvement according to claim 16, wherein said support means for said ironing ring further includes a pair of support members on said base plate and spaced apart in said direction to receive said ring therebetween, a pair of cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to one another and to the axis of said ring, and means to independently rotate said cam members.
 18. The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said support means for said ironing ring further includes a pair of separate upright support members on said base plate and longitudinally spaced apart to receive said ring therebetween, said base plate and support members including opposed longitudinally extending key and recess means cooperable to laterally align said support members and ring on said base plate.
 19. The improvement according to claim 18, and a pair of cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ironing ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to the axis of said ring, and means to independently rotate said cam members.
 20. The improvement according to claim 19, wherein said means supporting each said cam members for rotation includes corresponding camshaft means and bearing means therefor in said support members, said means to rotate said cam members including first gear means on said camshaft means of each cam member for rotation therewith, second gear means for rotating each said first gear means, and corresponding gear shaft means supporting each said second gear means for rotation relative to said support members.
 21. In a machine for forming a can body having a closed end and a peripheral side wall extending therefrom and which machine includes a frame, punch means supported by said frame for reciprocation between first and second locations along a linear path, ironing ring means supported by said frame between said first and second locations, end forming means, means supporting said end forming means on said frame at said second location, said punch means receiving a can blank at said first location and being cooperable with said ring means to form said blank upon movement of said punch means through said ring means and being cooperable with said end forming means to form said closed end when said punch means reaches said second location, and means to reciprocate said punch means between said first and second locations, the improvement comprising: said support means for said end forming means including a support member extending transverse to said linear path and having opposite ends, said end forming means being on said support member between said opposite ends, means interconnecting one of said opposite ends of said support member with said frame for pivotal movement of said support member and end forming means relative to said frame, means releaseably interengaging the other of said opposite ends of said support member with said frame, said one end of said support member being interconnected with said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said punch meaNs including slide means and at least one punch member mounted on said slide means for movement therewith, said slide means having spaced apart horizontally parallel sides, each of said sides including bar means having a first portion nearest said first location and a second portion nearest said second location, said first portions of said bar means each including vertically spaced parallel planar bearing surfaces and a laterally outer planar bearing surface perpendicular thereto, opposed guide channel means on said frame each slidably receiving a corresponding one of said first portions of said bar means, each said guide channel means having guide surfaces engaging said vertically spaced and outer bearing surfaces, each said guide channel means having an end in the direction from said first location toward said second location, and apertured bearing means fixed relative to said frame adjacent said end of each channel means, each said apertured bearing means receiving and slidably supporting said second portion of the corresponding bar means.
 22. The improvement according to claim 21, wherein said ironing ring means includes at least one ironing ring and means supporting said ironing ring on said frame, said support means for said ironing ring including a base plate generally parallel to the axis of said ring and support plate means underlying said base plate, said base plate having a first end nearest said second location and a longitudinal axis underlying said ring axis, pin means pivotally interconnecting said first end of said base plate and said support plate means, said pin means having a vertical axis intersecting said longitudinal axis of said base plate, and releaseable means holding said base plate against pivotal movement relative to said support means.
 23. The improvement according to claim 21, wherein said ironing ring means includes at least one ironing ring and means supporting said ironing ring on said frame, said support means for said ironing ring including a pair of support members axially spaced apart to receive said ring therebetween, a pair of cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to one another and to the axis of said ring, and means to independently rotate said cam members.
 24. The improvement according to claim 23, wherein said support means for said ironing ring further includes a pair of support members on said base plate and spaced apart in said direction to receive said ring therebetween, a pair of cam members in the space between said support members and positioned to underlie said ring at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, means supporting each of said cam members for rotation relative to said support members about axes parallel to one another and to said ring axis, and means to independently rotate said cam members.
 25. The improvement according to claim 11, wherein said punch member has a mounting end interengagable with said slide means, and means removably interengaging said punch member and slide means, said interengaging means including a component supported by said slide means for rotation relative thereto about an axis, cooperatively interengagable thread means on said component and said mounting end of said punch member, and means supported by said slide means for rotating said component in opposite directions about said axis.
 26. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein said punch member has a mounting end interengagable with said slide means, and means removably interengaging said punch member and slide means, said interengaging means including a component supported by said slide means for rotation relative thereto about an axis, cooperatively interengagable thread means on said component and said mounting end of said punch member, and means supported by said slide means for rotating saiD component in opposite directions about said axis.
 27. The improvement according to claim 24, wherein said punch member has a mounting end interengagable with said slide means, and means removably interengaging said punch member and slide means, said interengaging means including a component supported by said slide means for rotation relative thereto about an axis, cooperatively interengagable thread means on said component and said mounting end of said punch member, and means supported by said slide means for rotating said component in opposite directions about said axis. 